Bomb squad: WWI-era grenade contained no explosives

SEAL BEACH – A bomb squad was called to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station on Tuesday afternoon to inspect what turned out to be a World War I-era German grenade that had been turned in at the base, authorities said.

A local resident about 3 p.m. went to the stations "pass and ID office" and tried to turn in what appeared to be a hand grenade, said Greg Smith, a base spokesman.

Base officials had the resident put the object down and evacuated the building. About 4:45 p.m., the Orange County Sheriff's Department arrived to inspect the object.

"A lot of times in cases like this, the grenade turns out to be a harmless training grenade," Smith said. "But still, out of an abundance of caution, we are going to play the worst-case scenario."

After X-raying the grenade, the bomb squad determined that it contained no explosives. Smith said it appears to be a World War I German grenade that had been hollowed out.

Seal Beach Boulevard was closed in both directions as authorities inspected the grenade. The street was reopened around 5:30 p.m.